Konerko aims to play Thursday night

Though Sox slugger said he may need offseason wrist surgery, he should be OK for now

June 06, 2012|By Mark Gonzales, Chicago Tribune reporter

Paul Konerko is hoping to return to the White Sox's lineup Thursday night, but the slugger said he could undergo offseason surgery to remove a bone chip in his left wrist.

Konerko, 36, described a 20-minute procedure Tuesday night in which the fragment was flushed in an area away from a joint where he was feeling irritation. A mixture that was used to flush the fragment caused numbing of his wrist and later soreness that prevented him from playing Tuesday and Wednesday night against the Blue Jays.

Konerko said he originally felt the discomfort in 2008, and last June he had a similar flushing procedure that caused him to miss two games.

He said he noticed discomfort during the Sox's day off Monday and realized he couldn't warm up the wrist to the point where he could play after taking batting practice Tuesday.

"I had to make a call at that point because I just couldn't swing the bat even close to normal," Konerko said Wednesday. "It's kind of a weird thing because it's a small little thing that's not a big deal. But when it gets into that joint, I can't swing a bat."

Tyler Flowers made his third major league start at first in place of Konerko.

"I'm prepared," said Flowers, who broke in his own first baseman's glove this spring.

Fukudome destined for DL: Reserve outfielder Kosuke Fukudome's rib cage injury is preventing him from performing baseball work and will likely force him to be placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Monday.

Outfielder Jordan Danks, the younger brother of John Danks, was expected to be promoted before Thursday night's game. Jordan Danks hit a three-run home run Wednesday night for Triple-A Charlotte, where he is hitting .302 with eight home runs and 28 RBIs.

The younger Danks will need to be placed on the 40-man roster, but the Sox's 40-man roster is at 37 after infielder Ozzie Martinez was outrighted.

Extra innings: John Danks pronounced himself ready for a minor league rehabilitation assignment, most likely early next week, after throwing a 40-pitch bullpen session. Danks believes he could return in time to pitch against the Dodgers on June 15-17 or against the Cubs in the next series. … The Sox concluded their three-day draft with 41 picks, including 14 infielders and 12 high school players. Scouting director Doug Laumann is confident the club will sign its high picks soon.